Week 8 Overreactions: Ties make NFL the old NHL
The NFL has turned into the old NHL.
Two ties in two weeks. First time in 19 years there’s been two ties in one season, and there’s nine weeks remaining.
After the Cardinals and Seahawks played to a 6-6 draw in a prime-time game last Sunday night, the Redskins and Bengals finished in a 27-27 tie on the international stage in London.
Hockey figured out a solution. If no team scores during a five-minute overtime period, a shootout settles it. There’s always a winner.
It’s time for the NFL to do the same.
Here’s a few ideas:
COLLEGE RULES
Follow the NCAA’s lead. If a game is tied after four quarters, play extra periods until there’s a winner. Each period consists of one possession for each team, and each drive starts at the defense’s 25-yard line.
Teams have to go for a 2-point conversion after two periods.
QUARTERBACK CHALLENGE
Each quarterback has to throw footballs from the 25yard line through a tire that hangs from the goal post. Whoever completes the most passes earns the win for his team.
KICKER’S SHOOTOUT
The kickers go backand-forth attempting uncontested field goals from a predetermined distance until someone misses.
Here are other overreactions following Week 8:
OVERREACTION
If they can’t beat the Jets, the Browns (0-8) won’t beat anyone.
REALISTIC REACTION
Maybe the Cowboys will overlook them and they’ll shock America’s Team next week.
OVERREACTION
Forget Las Vegas. The Raiders should play all their games on the road.
REALISTIC REACTION
Even though they’re 1-2 at home and 5-0 on the road, it’s tough to play in the Black Hole.
OVERREACTION
The Patriots (7-1) will clinch the AFC East early enough to allow Tom Brady to rest in December.
REALISTIC REACTION
Brady got enough rest in September so New England will keep their star QB on the field until it clinches the No. 1 seed.
OVERREACTION
Arizona’s window has closed. The Cardinals (3-41) lost to 1-win Carolina.
REALISTIC REACTION
They’re only 1 1/2 games behind Seattle and play the Seahawks again on Dec. 24.
OVERREACTION
The Saints will win the NFC South. An impressive win over Seattle proved New Orleans is not a mediocre team.
REALISTIC REACTION
They’re only 3-4 and have followed up big wins with disappointing losses often over the past two seasons.
OVERREACTION
The NFC East is the best division in the NFL. Every team has a winning record.
REALISTIC REACTION
Check out that AFC West. Two teams are 6-2 and one is 5-2.
OVERREACTION
Time to panic in Green Bay. The Packers (4-3) are off to their worst start since 2012.
REALISTIC REACTION
All those injuries and they still nearly beat the Falcons on the road.
OVERREACTION
Dak Prescott guaranteed he’s the No. 1 quarterback by leading the Cowboys (61) to a comeback win over the Eagles.
REALISTIC REACTION
Prescott made enough rookie mistakes against Philadelphia to justify giving Tony Romo his job back whenever he’s healthy. Class B First round Oct. 21 Dover 3, Highland 0 Quarterfinals Oct. 25 Spackenkill 6, Dover 0 Ellenville 1, Liberty 0 Rhinebeck 4, Marlboro 2 James I. O’Neill 1, Burke Catholic 0 Semifinals Oct. 28 Spackenkill 3, Ellenville 1 Rhinebeck 2, O’Neill 0 Finals Oct. 31 Spackenkill 2, Rhinebeck 0 —— Class C Semifinals Oct. 24 Webutuck 1, Seward 0 Sullivan West 1, Millbrook 0 Finals Oct. 26 Sullivan West 2, Webutuck 0 —— Class D Champion – Eldred ——
Semifinals Oct. 27 New Paltz-Red Hook winner at Rondout, 6 p.m. Spackenkill-O’Neill winner at Burke, 6 p.m. Finals Nov. 6 Semifinal winners at Mount Saint Mary College, 2 p.m. —— Class C Quarterfinals Nov. 2 No. 1 Millbrook, bye No. 2 Dover, bye No. 3 Rhinebeck, bye No. 5 Fallsburg at No. 4 Pine Plains, 6 p.m. Semifinals Nov. 4 Fallsburg-Pine Plains winner at Millbrook, 6 p.m. Rhinebeck at Dover, 6 p.m. Finals Nov. 6 Semifinal winners at Mount Saint Mary College, 4 p.m. —— Class D Semifinals Nov. 4